The scheme was successfully delivered to BREEAM Excellent standard, supporting the wider decarbonisation and future proofing of the college estate.

Decarbonisation:
The project presented a significant challenge due to its emphasis on decarbonising existing heritage buildings. The 500-year-old walls of the building allowed significant air leakage. However, with improving their airtightness, it was of paramount importance to add ventilation and ductwork to aid air circulation and prevent damp. We worked with the wider project team to manage the installation of these systems around the building’s existing timber and masonry. During the construction period, the installation of duct risers through the existing listed structure presented a number of complex issues for our team to resolve, involving negotiation the existing fabric in coordination with heritage consultants.

The Community Hub ultimately achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating and is the first Grade-I listed refurbishment in Cambridge to meet this standard, which is a mark of the rigorous attention paid to sustainability by all members of the wider project team.